Savory is an aromatic herb of very simple culture, it can be kept both in the ground and in pots. In the garden it looks like a fragrant and easy-care shrub, it does not disfigure even in ornamental contexts.
This aroma is widely used in French cuisine, in Provence the spice is also known as “donkey pepper”. In the garden it is excellent to include as it seems to be a good repellent against aphids and is therefore an excellent combination to protect other vegetables.
There are two varieties of savory: saturaja hortensis, which has a delicate flavor and an annual growth cycle and therefore must be re-seeded every year, and saturaja montana, which is pungent and tasty and is a perennial aromatic herb. The plant of the Lamiaceae family reaches a height of 30/35 cm, it is a shrub which forms bushes with lanceolate leaves and small purple or white flowers depending on the variety.
Contents [Ocultar]
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The climate and soil in which to grow
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planting savory
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savory culture
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Collection, consumption and ownership
Contents
The climate and soil in which to grow
Climate . Savory is a very hardy plant. It tolerates cold well, especially if we decide to grow the montana santureja variety, but it likes exposure to the sun.
Stage. This officinal plant is not particularly exaggerated in terms of soil richness, so it is suitable for cultivation in practically any substrate, as long as there is no standing water. The mountain variety likes stony and calcareous soils.
sow the sausage
Sow . Savory has small seeds that germinate very easily. Therefore, the plant can be easily obtained from seed, which can be put in the spring directly in the garden. It is preferable to sow by scattering then by thinning, leaving our little fragrant bed dedicated to sausage. If, on the other hand, you want to plant in a pot, put it between February and March to transplant it in April. Obviously after sowing and until the development of the plant it is necessary to wet the soil regularly. Buy savory seeds : you can find organic savory seeds online (here) .
The deicespi division. The sausage can also be multiplied by dividing the head, an operation which is carried out in the spring or after the summer.
Cups . The third method of forming a new salt plant is cuttings. The system is very simple, similar to that of many other aromatic plants (eg rosemary). A branch is cut from the mother plant, choosing one of those semi-woody branches that start at the base of the plant, about ten centimeters long. This branch must be left in water for a few days and then in the soil so that it can take root. The cut must be done by cutting the branch in the fall in order to transplant the rooted seedling into the garden in the spring.
Sixth floor . If you grow sausage in your vegetable garden, for self-consumption you can be satisfied with a few plants, since a handful of leaves at a time is enough to flavor vegetables or other recipes. In any case, it is necessary to sow the plants keeping a minimum distance of 25-30 cm between them, I suggest leaving at least 50 cm between the rows to allow passage.
salt cultivation
Satureja hortensis and Satureja montana. The two varieties of savory are grown in a similar way, except that the ortense variety is annual (meaning it is sown every year) while the montana variety is perennial. There is also a distinct difference in taste, as the mountain variety has a much stronger flavor.
Crop maintenance. Savory forms a nice thick bush, it is easy to keep weeds clean around the plant, weeding is at the same time useful for oxygenating the soil, preventing the formation of a surface crust.
Irrigation . Wetting the garden soil is useful only to enjoy it during particularly dry summers. The mountain variety resists drought even better, especially if the plant has passed its first year of life. However, when the rains are rare, it is better to avoid creating stagnation, so it is better to water often with little water than the reverse.
Padded. Mulching with straw or a breathable fabric can be helpful in reducing weeds during the summer, while in very cold regions, mulching is helpful in preventing the ground from freezing near the roots of the plant.
cut the branches Throughout the year, the dry branches of the plant should be removed, keeping it clean and alive, especially it is useful to prune at the end of winter to allow the plant to start growing properly again. The pruning of the stems in summer, on the other hand, stimulates the plant and helps to have a better harvest.
Parasites and diseases. This aromatic has no particular enemies, it can be grown in the garden without the need to use pesticides or natural preparations. Fungal diseases, especially root rot, are prevented by planting it in well-drained soil.
Subsidiaries. Savory is a plant that attracts certain types of insects, especially butterflies, it can be useful to have it near fruit plants that need pollinators, such as pumpkins and zucchini. Plus, it doesn’t seem to be well received by aphids, a trait that makes it a lovely companion for many vegetables, especially beans and snap beans.
Grow salty in a pot . It can also be grown in a pot on the balcony, you need a medium-sized pot, you have to prepare a good drainage at the bottom of the pot (using expanded clay for example) and maybe mix a compost with a little fertilizer or humus and a little sand.
Collection, consumption and properties
Collection . The leaves and fleur de sel are used in cooking. If you want to save the plant to have a ready-to-use spice, harvesting can be done as needed. A summer harvest, on the other hand, is useful if you want to take whole twigs to dry in order to preserve this aromatic longer.
Use of the kitchen. Savory is an aroma that can be used extensively in cooking, pairing particularly well with legumes and soups as a flavor. Keep in mind that mountain savory has a stronger character and more pungent flavor, while savory hortensis is more delicate. The leaves can be used as a spice both fresh and dried.
Properties of sausage . Like almost all aromatic herbs, savory is also attributed a phytotherapeutic use, particularly related to the digestive system. This officinal plant would have antispasmodic and stomach properties.